The United States Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), which is in charge of US foreign arms sales, said last week that it had received government approval to sell133 Abrams battle tanks, 20 armored vehicles, weapons, equipment and provide training to Saudi Arabia.

The deal worth US$1.1 billion would also see the US supplying Saudi Arabia with spare parts for the battle tanks, hundreds of machine guns, smoke grenade launchers, night vision goggles and training, engineering and logistical support.

The DSCA noted in its press release that the deal aims to improve the security of Saudi Arabia, which it considers a "strategic regional partner which has been and continues to be a leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the Middle East."

The Agency added that the deal will "increase the Royal Saudi Land Force's (RSLF) interoperability with US forces," and it expressed "US commitment to Saudi Arabia's security and armed forces modernization."

Saudi Arabia, the DSCA said will be able to “enhance" its ability to support its soldiers and to defend its borders, and will have "no difficulty absorbing these vehicles into its armed forces."

This comes on the back of reports earlier last week that Kuwait had confirmed an order worth $1.1 billion for 30 Airbus Caracal military helicopters from France. That deal was part of the $2.8 billion defense contract that Kuwait had signed with France in 2015. The Caracal tactical transport helicopters with seating for 28 troops are being bought for the Kuwait army and the National Guard. Delivery of the choppers is expected to begin in early 2019.